Paris, Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Orange Digital Ventures announces a new investment in BandwidthX, the leading Wi-Fi connectivity marketplace for operators.

With Internet data consumption continually on the rise, the solutions developed by BandwidthX offer operators a new model that enables them to densify coverage in addition to infrastructure deployment. Like digital marketplaces for infrastructure rentals such as home leasing or vehicle sharing, this virtual platform automatically matches up supply and demand and allows Wi-Fi suppliers to share their excess network capacity on occasion.

It enables both fixed and mobile network operators to optimise the use of their resources and ensure the best connection experience for their customers, wherever they are, both on their domestic market and abroad. The BandwidthX model is already operating in the United States and has proven its worth.

The unique know-how of BandwidthX lies in its real-time calculation algorithms for relevant transactions from among millions of possible combinations in order to create a sustainable market for exchanges. The cloud platform allows operators to set parameters for exchanges by access point or by customer profile, including as a function of actual traffic conditions. In addition, BandwidthX gives the customer an automatic, transparent connection to the network.

Ultimately, the BandwidthX business model could become central to capacity sharing between mobile operators, as contemplated in the work preparatory to 5G in which Orange is participating.

Pierre Louette commented:

“With this new investment, Orange Digital Ventures confirms its commitment to supporting the development of digital players which are transforming the network operator business. The disruptive model introduced by the BandwidthX marketplace will create new opportunities for operators, opening for them the business of “infrastructure as service” and network aggregation, including in countries in which they do not operate directly, while better controlling deployment costs.”